Humidifier system and apparatus.



F. & l. LINDMEIER.

HUMIDIFIER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.23.19I1.

1,291,946. I l Patented Jan.21,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. & J. LINDMEIER. HUMIDIFIER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

1,291,946' APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23. 1917. Patented Jan. 21

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

535%@ dat? 4,

FREDERICK LINDMIER AND JUSTUS LINDMEIEB, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

HUMIDIFIER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

Application med November 23, 1917. Serial No. 203,490.

To all whom z't ma concern:

Be it known t at we, FREDERICK LIND- MEIER and JUsTUs' LINDMEIER, citizens of the United States, residing at 735 North Grove Ave., Oak Park, in thecounty of @ook and State of Illinois, and 819 Woodbme Ave., Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, respectively, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement 1n I Iumidifier Systems and Apparatus, o f which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to humidifier systems and apparatus for hot water and steam radiators. One feature of the inventlon relates t0 the method of maintainlng a proper level of water in the humidifier sections of radiators;` Another feature of our lnvention relates to a simple devlce for preventing the ingress of water when theJ atmosphere is already suiiciently humid. Another feature of the invention relates to the. method and apparatus for extracting water from a. steam radiator. Another feature of the invention relates to the method of automatically replenishing the water 1n a steam heating system, and another feature of. the invention relates to the method of indicating when the water falls below a des1red level in a hot water heating system.

Our invention is particularly adapted for use with radiators of the type illustrated in our application Serial No. 150,391, filed eloruary 23, 1917, relating to combined humldifiers and radiators. It is to be understood, however, that certain features of the invention are applicable to devices coming within the purview of the said co-pending application.

Still further features of the invention will be hereinafter pointed out in the following specification.

Our invention is illustrated in the accom-v panying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a radiator into one -end of which is to be fitted a tank having water level controlling mechanism therein;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the radiator shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on 3 3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged drawing of the Iwater level controlling mechanism assembled;

the line Fig. 5 is a section through the hygrostatic element of the water level controlling mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 illustrates our invention applied to a hot water system;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the dial and circuit controlled mechanism of Fig. 7;

8 F1g9 1s a section on the line 9 9 of Fig.

Fig. 10 illustrates 'our invention as applied to a steam heating system. I

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The radiator illustrated in Fig. 1, and the type with which we prefer to use our invention, is provided with three humidifier sections. These sections appear externally substantially the same as the remaining sections ofthe radiator, but are provided with abutting flanges 11 and 12 which, ywhen the parts are clamped together, form a chamber within the heating elements of the radiator.- The end radiator sections of the humidifier group are preferably provided with integrally cast walls, such as shown at 13 and 14, which serve to complete the ends ofthe humidifier tank.

Humidiication of the atmosphere is brought about by evaporation from large moisturesurfaces, Wherefore We have found it advantageous to insert sheets, 15, of ab` sorbent material such as asbestos, these being extended considerably above the level of the tank walls so that the air upwardly through the radiator will'carry off large quantities of moisture from the surfaces of these absorbent members. Within one or more of the humidifier sections is placed the mechanism which controls the supply of water to the tank, and which also controls the level of the water and prevents the water from flowing at all when the atmosphere is already 'sufficiently humid. This mechanism comprises a U-shaped pipe or tube 17, which constitutes a supporting frame for the controlling apparatus. Between the arms of this frame andnear the base thereof is a float 18 pivoted at 19 and provided with an upwardly extending bearing support 20. A ove this ioat and pivoted in the bearing support is an arm 21 which extends laterally on each side of the bearing support 20. One end of this arm is in clrculating,

pivotally connected to the cross frame members 22 by means of a pivot pin 23, this pin also passing through one end of an arm 24. Springs 25 extend between the protruding ends of pins 26 and 27 carried respectively at the extremities of arms 21 and 24, the arrangement being such that the springs tend to collapse the two arms 21 and 24 upon one another. Asthe oat 18 rises and falls it causes the intermediate parts of the 4springs 25 to pass above and below the pivot 23 so that the arm 24 is caused to have either a.

somewhat deinite downward pressure or a somewhat definite upward pressure at its extremity. The extremity of arm 24 is attached to the valve rod 30 having an arm 31 extending laterally and upwardly, the upper end of which is pointed and arranged to bear upon the valve seat 32 when the 'rod is pressed upwardly and to be withdrawn from the valve seat when the rod is pressed downwardly, whereby water Y will be admitted through the valve until the ioat has by rising caused the reversal of the valve rod p0- sition and the consequent closing of the valve.

' This controller terial and 36 which has a high degree of expansionp'and contraction for slight temperature changes. lAmy material which is impervious to moisture may be used for this purpose and ordinarily hard brass has been found to be satisfactory. Between the two stripsof vmaterial 35 and 36 is inserted a third strip of material 37 which must be of low heatconductivity. We have found mica to be highly satisfactory for this purpose.

By means of screws or rivets 38, which preferably pass through heat insulating bushings 39, the two strips 35 and 36 are rigidly attached together at frequent intervals throughouttheir length so that the slight expansion or contraction of one of these elements causes the bowing of the free end 40 of the device either upwardly or downwardly, depending upon whether the lower or thepupper of the two elements-35 and 36 is the warmer.

The assembled elements 35, 36, and 37 are attached' to a rocker support 41 by means of two screws 42 and 43 which can be adjusted 'so as to bring about the proper normal position for the free end 40 of the hygrostatic element.

Along the under side 0f this hygrostatic element is a wick 45, this from moving away the member 36 of meinte wick being preferably cemented to the ele# ment 36 and preferably covering substantially the whole under surface thereof. rlhis wick is forced down into the left arm of the U shaped frame and is so closely packed therein that the water of the heating system will pass through the wick only very gradually, and preferably only substantially fast enough to overcome the evaporation in the exposed portion of the wick.

In the operation of this structure the-wick 45 remains constantly wet and since evaporation continuously occurs therefrom its temperature remains somewhat lower than the temperature of the hygrostatic element 35 separated therefrom by a good thermal resister. So lon as evaporation continues at a certain rate rom` the wick 45 the free end 40 of the hygrostatic element will be deflected downward due to the slight contraction of the member 36.. When the atmosphere becomes so moist that the rate of evaporation is decreased the free end 40 of the hygrostatic element is caused to raise into engagement with the washer 46, whichl is rigidly carried by the valve rod 30, thus preventing the arm 31 from the seat 32 even though the float does drop by reason of the complete evaporation of the water in oration from the wick becomes more rapid and the free end 40 moves downwardly o ening the valve and permitting the humidler chamber to become refilled to the level at which the float again assumes control. The water which passes through the valve will trickle down the rod 30 and run 0E the lower end thereof without being deiected outside the humidifier tank.

A cock 48 is provied near the end of the radiator at the point where the water enters the humidifier section so that the water may be manually cut off when desired.

Although the apparatus thus far described may be operated satisfactorily by connecting the pipe 49 with the city water supply, or any othernsuitable source, it is preferable, by reason of the saving in piping, to obtain the water for moistening the air directlyl from the heating system.

the humidifier chamber. When, however, the atmosphere becomes less humid the evap- When the device is used in' connection with a hot water heating system this may be done by connecting the pipe 49.into any part of they hot water radiator, but when the-v device is used in conjunction with a steam heating system it is necessary to use steam which has condensed in the radiator. In order that an adequate supply of water may be always on hand the tank '50 is provided beneath the radiator and sufficiently separated therefrom that its temperature will not be up to the boiling pointfof water. rlhis tank is tapped into one of the legs of the radiav tor, which under normal conditions is full t ing a float 71 therein which is means of a lever 72 and rod 73 of water which has been condensed in the radiator, or 'to some other low point of the radiator, whereby the tank 50 will be mamtained at all tlmes substantially full of water. This supply is necessary because of the intermittent character of the device which causes the humidifier sections to lill within a comparatively short time when the mechanism has beentripped by the lowering of the float 18. The distance` between the base of the tank 50 and the point at which the water empties into the humidifier section is small and the steam pressure is relied upon to carry the water up the plpe 49.

When our device is to be used with a vacuum steam system the water supply is o f necessityv brought through independent plpmg as it cannot, under those circumstances, be obtained -:from the radiator system.

The large quantity of water taken from either a hot water or steam system by these automatically operating humjdiflers make it important to provide automatic means for either indicating the necessity of an additional water supply or actually controlling the water supply. In a hot Water stem it is not essential to safety that the evel be maintained as accurately as in a steam system. Ve, therefore, 6nd it sujiicient in hot water systems to provide a lamp 60 which is automatically displayed near the heater when the level of the water drops below a predetermined point. In order that the circuit of this lamp may be quickly closed and opened to prevent sparking a flat spring 61 is mounted between two posts 62 and 63, which are supported on the glass front of the water level indicator. This spring 61 is of slightly greater length than the distance between the posts 62 and 63 so that it bulges either on one side or the other of the straight line between the posts. A contact 64 is carried on the spring 61 so as to register with a Contact carried by the post 65, also mounted in the glass of the indicator. The spring 61 has a projecting portion 66 which is slightly twisted so that the pins 67 and 68 will engage alternate sides thereof as the hand 69 moves either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In this manner as the hand 69 moves in a clockwise direction it causes the contacts 64 and 65 to be quickly separated, and as the hand moves in a. counter-clockwise direction upon the falling of the level of the water the spring 61 is deflected outwardly so as to cause the quick registration of the contacts 64 and 65.

In order to control the level of the water in asteam heater wevprovide a tank 70 havconnected by with a mechanism constructed exactly the same as the mechanism constituting a part of the valve control described in connection with Fig. 4,

the whole being such as to cause the valve pin 74 to be pressed upon the scat 75 t o cut ofi' the supply of water from the mam 76 when the 1float 71 rises to a predetermined level and to again withdraw the pin 74 from its seat 75 when the float drops to a predetermined level. The upper part of the tank is connected to the steam part of the heater by means of a pipe 77, whereas the lower part of the tank 70 is connected to the water portion of the heater by means of a pipe 78. B this device the water level is automatical y kept within predetermined limits.

While we have described our invention with respect to certain details, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be unduly limited thereto, certain modifications beingpossible without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A humidifier system comprising a tank associated with a radiator, aconnection for carrying water from the heating coils of the radiator to said tank, a valve controlling the flow of 'water through said connection, a float controlling said valve to maintain a substantially constant level of water in said tank, and a hygrostatic element for preventing the ingress of water when the atmosphere is already sufficiently humid.

- 2. In a humidiying system the combination with a radiator, of a tank associated therewith, a float in said tank, a valve controlled by said float, a hygrostatic element for preventing the opening of said valve when the atmosphere is already humid, and a pipe leading to said valve from a source of water supply.

3. The combination with a heating system, of means for humidifying the air heated by said system comprising a water tank,n a valve controlling the supply of water to said tank, means controlled by the level of the water in said tank for opening and closing said valve, and a hygrostatic element for holding said valve closed when the air heated by said system is sufficiently humid irrespective of the level of the water in said tank.

4. A unit for a humidilier comprising a pipe connection provided with a valve seat, a support forsaid pipe connection, a valve coacting with said seat, a oat pivotally mounted in said support and connected with said valve, and a hygrostatic element mounted on said support and having a lost motion connection with said valve.

5. A unit for a humidifier comprising a pipe connection provided' with a valve seat, a support for sald pipe connection, a valve coacting with said seat, a lioat pivotally mounted in said support and connected with los mama@ said valve, and a hygrostatic element montthe said last named means coacting with the ed on said support and connected to said means for supplying water to said tank.

valve. In Witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe 6k' The comiiation wilthha radiatir of a. our names this 16th day of November, 1917. 5 tan supporte etween t e eatin e ements vof said radiator, means for supplyging Water ER' to said tank, and means located Within said tank responsive to varying degrees o mois- Witnesses: ture in the air heated by said radiator, for 3E. R. RUMMELHOFF,

10 controlling the flow of Water to said tank, W. T. UEGER. 

